Machine for detecting and ejecting improperly labeled cans



M. BOX ET AL MACHINE FOR DETECTING AND EJECTING Npv. 24. 1953 IMPROPERLY LABELED CANS Filed Nov. 28, 1949 5 Sheetg-Sheet 1 3nventors MERE/L L. 80X

ROBERT NYC/{501V Gttorneg M. L. BOX ET AL MACHINE FOR DETECTING AND EJECTING IMPROPERLY LABELED CANS Nov; 24. 1953 5' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28, 1949 T'IE .EE

lnventor; MERE/l. L. 80X

ROBERT W Asa/v (Ittomeg Nov. 24, 1953 ox ET 2,660,304-

MACHINE FOR DETECTING AND EJECTING IMPROPERLY LABELED CANS Filed Nov. 28, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIE '7 (It tomeg Nov. 24, 1953 M. BOX ET AL 2,660,304

MACHINE FOR DETECTING AND EJECTING IMPROPERLY LABELED CANS Filed Nov. 28, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 TIE EI Ga a. 201 223 2.32

2.27 2.27 227 '23 230 '23] 230 zen J I! I 3m entor MERE/L L. 80)! ROBERT W CASO/V (Ittorneg Nov. 24.1953 M. L. BOX ET AL MACHINE FOR DETECTING AND EJECTING IMPROPERLY LABELED CANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 28, 1949 zzi MERE/L 1.. Box

noes/r7 144 CA 50/1/ Gttorneg Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE MACHINE FOR DETECTING AND EJECTING IMPROPERLY LABELED CANS Application November 28, 1949, Serial No. 129,706

9 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for inspecting and sorting articles and particularly to an apparatus adapted for use in inspecting the labels of cans and capable of separating defectively labeled cans from those to which perfect labels have been properly applied, the apparatus having particular utility when used for inspecting cans delivered from a can-labeling machine.

The present application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 54,678, filed by us October 15, 1948, and now abandoned.

Various machines have been proposed for inspecting and sorting cans passing from canlabeling machines, the purpose of such can-sort ing machines being to detect cans which have improperly applied and damaged labels and to separate such defectively labeled cans from the line of cans being conveyed from the labeling machines to packaging apparatus. While such sorting machines are employed quite extensively in canneries and other processing establishments, it is common knowledge that they are quite inefiicient in performing their intended function. Such inspection machines operate on the principle of electrical detection, that is, they employ one or more detector or contact elements disposed in the path of movement of the cans rolling from the labeling machine and across which the cans pass. The detector elements are connected in an electrical circuit which includes one or more solenoids capable, when energized, of operating a dual gate disposed in the path of movement of the cans so as to eject improperly labeled cans from the line of cans passing normally through th machine.

The detector elements are adapted to engage the periphery of each labeled can and are intended to close the electrical circuit through the metal of the can when they encounter exposed surfaces of the can, that is, areas of the cylindrical surface of a can which have not been covered by the label, as may occur when no label has been applied, when the label is improperly app-lied, or when the label is torn. However, it has been determined that previous cansorting machinesare subject to several deficiencies. For example, in such machines a pair of laterally spaced electrical detector elements are employed and function to close the gate solenoid when an exposed portion of a can bridges the entire gap between the two elements. It is apparent, therefore, that unless the tear in the label is at least as long as the gap, the electrical circuit will remain open, and the defective can will not be, ejected by the gate. Moreover, the detector or contact elements are usual- 1y located adjacent the center of the line of travel of the cans so that they detect only those exposed portions of a can which appear in the central portion thereof. This is a disadvantage since, as is well known to cannery operators, almost all tears occur adjacent the edges of the labels due to the fact that these edgessometimes catch on various parts during the label applying operation, and, due to improper feeding and uneven tensioning of the paper, the detector elements do not always contact the edges of the can. As a result, cans having damaged labels are delivered to the packaging machine, unless the cans are subsequently inspected by cannery workers.

It often occurs that the paper labels become torn at the overlapping seam, and it is thus imperative that the detector means engage this portion of the periphery of a can rolling through the machine. When cans of predetermined diameter are to be sorted, the detector elements are so disposed that they engage the seam of the label. However, it is highly desirable that the machine be capable of inspecting cans of various diameters. Consequently, it is necessary that the detector elements be either adjustable lengthwise of the track or be of sufiicient length to insure that they will positively engage the seam portions of labels on cans of different diameters as the cans roll alon the track. In one form of conventional apparatus, the detector means consists of a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending detector bars upon which the cans r'oll during their travel alon the track, these bars being intended to contact bare portions of cans'to which the labels have been improperly applied at the seam. Such detector bars are inefiicient in performing such function and have the disadvantage of creating frictional drag on the cans to impair their free rolling movement through the apparatus in which they are incorporated.

Another disadvantage of prior detector means of conventional can-sorting machines is that they are unable to detect loose flaps of the can labels. That is to say, it sometimes occurs that during the applying of a label, the overlapping end of the label is inadequately glued to the underlying end of the label with the result that the overlapping end projects from the can in a loose flap and is quite apt to be torn off during subsequent handling to mar the appearance of the can or to cause displacement of the entire label efficient means for detecting improperly labeled cans and for separating such cans from a line of the cans passing through the apparatus.

Another important object is to provide a detector means which comprises a pair of detector elements along which the cans travel, saideIements being in the form of relatively long coil springs extending in the direction of travel of the cans. Due to their resilient nature, the detector springs yieldingly engage the peripheries of the cans and thus positively contact thesame.

Another object is to provide a detector means, of the character referred to above, in which the detector spring are ma e the rent of en less element's carried by longitudinally" spaced pulley said springs being rotated in the direction of travel of the cans through the machine so'that the springs offer little or no resistance to the movement of the cans.

Another object to provide a detector ofthe type indicated in which the individual s ring" elements are ada ted to be so disposed that they engage uie end portions of the cans, where the major part ofthe defects occur in the labels Arelated objectis to so connect the detec tor elemerits in the electrics circuit for the gate operating means that closing of the electrical circiiit is established through either element, the metal of the can and the track along which the can rolls so thatit is possible to detect small tears or other imperfections occurring adjacent the edges of the label. 'Sincethe elements are elongated and their effective length is at least equal to the circumference of a can, they posit-way inspect the entire label for imperfections.

Another object is to provide detector meansof he ty s ec fi in ih e aie s i ip e r nt a ea iil ab y muse si i tfil y n be inclined with r'espectto the track along which the cans roll. Bythis construction, the leading en sp t d ec r leme s t at i th it nearest the end of the tracli upon whichthecans n e t e. ap a u an ed l fit le i e 9.1 0 cau e a re efle imd e th eifihes e ats tot dis qs din th r h i. m vement o t an the ef t e l ng h he. el ments h me adjus e s th i i tlsa te i eli the ir umier e 9 th ca bei ins ec d. the adjustment thus adaptingthe elements to act upon cans of different diameters, V

It is another object of this invention to provide a can-sorting machine which includes a second detector means for detecting the presence of loose flaps on, the can labels, this means consisting of a crystal detector having a sensitive finger disposed in the path of movement of the cans and adjustable longitudinally of the track to adapt it to be positioned at a location wherein 'it can be engaged by the loose flap of a label.

Another object is to provide in a machine of the class referred to an electronic circuit in which the spring-type detectors and the crystal detector are connected, the circuit also including an act-- tronic control tube which, when activated, fun 1 tions to actuate a relay, the latter servmg to do e an electrical circuit which energizes gate operat 4 ing solenoids, a switch disposed in the path of movement of the cans and adjacent the gates being connected in series in the electrical circuit and operated by the defectively labeled can to cause the gates to open as the can approaches a gap in the track so as to eject the can from the line of cans passing through the machine.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the character discussed above, which includes iiieans for advancing the cans in predetermined spaced relationship along the track.

A further object is to provide an apparatus whichis wholly adjustable so that cans of various diarri'etersand lengths can be sorted, the adjusting means being relatively simple and readily operated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a can-sorting machine which is especially simple in construction and one which functions in a more positive manner than other machines heretofore employed for the same purpose.

Another object is to provide a machine for detecting and rejecting defectively labeled cans wherein label detector means are selectively adjustable to vary the sensitivity of the machine, and whereby off-center as well as torn or loose labels can be detected and ejected.

Another object is to provide an improved detector for loose label ends or flaps on cans rolling alongatrack. p I

Another object is to resiliently position cans in endwise electrical contact with an inspection sec= tion of track upon which the cans are rollingly supported to insure uniform and accurate inspection for label defects.

Another object is to provide a detector for detecting and ejecting unlabeled and defectiv'ely labeled cans which will prevent the ejecting of a properly labeled can by contact of the detector with an immediately following defectiv'ely labeled can.

Another object is to make an apparatus for detecting and ejecting defectively labeled cans wherein the cans are positioned on a track and are electrically connected to one side of a detector circuit by resiliently biased means in wiping con tactwith an end'of each can.

Further objects willappear from the ren wing specification and from the drawings, which are intended for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View through the improved can-sorting machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view, taken on line 2-2 Of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. i is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 4 iofFig. l; H i I N Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the machine and the electronic circuit for controlling the opening and closing of the electrical circuit;

Fig. '7 is a somewhat enlarged longitudinal section summer to Fig. 1 but showing modified forms of defective label and loose end flap detector devices;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section in reduced scale talcen on the line 8-8 of 7 Fig.- 9 is an enlarged portion of Fig. 8 showing a defectively labeled can rolling along the label detector track section;

Fig. is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of an electrical contact and can positioning strip mounted on a portion of the can supporting track, portions of a strip supporting bar being broken away;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a portion of the track and a detector blade looking in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 8

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken on line |2-|2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line i3 |3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line I l-I4 of Fig. 8, the left hand portion of a loose end flap detector being broken away along a vertical mid-plane;

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section takenon the line |5|5 of Fig. 14; and a Fig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line |6|6 of 14, the lower support portions shown in Fig. 14 being omitted.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the improved can-sorting machinecomprises a pair of longitudinal side frames l9 and H which are prothe vided on their inner faces with longitudinal ledges l2 and I3 which together provide a track i4 along which cans C can roll through the machine.- The track l4 may be aligned with a pair of conveyors |5 and [6, the conveyor l5 being adapted to convey labeled cans from a labeling machine (not shown) while the conveyor l6 transports the cans from the sorting machine to any suitable equipment, such as a packaging unit (not shown). The cans, upon being delivcred onto the track I4, are fed therealong in spaced relationship by means to be later described. At a point substantially midway of its length, the track I4 is interrupted to provide a discharge opening or gap I! through which defectiv'ely labeled cans or cans having no labels are ejected from the line of cans passing through the machine.

Gate members 20 and 2| are slidable in guideways 22 and 23 of the side frames I0 and II and are normally projected inwardly by springs 24 and 25 to cause their inner ends to align with and form continuations of the track, thegates thus normally bridging the gap I1 to prevent cans from falling therethrough during their travel through the machine; When the gate members 2|] and 2| are drawn laterally outward, however, a can C is caused to fall through the discharge opening I! into a chute 26 which conveys it to any suitable location. The gate members 26 and 2| are adapted to be withdrawn by means of respective solenoids 29 and 30 which, as shown in Fig. 6, are connected in an electrical circuit indicated generally by the reference character 3 i. A normally open microactuated switch 33 is connected in series in the circuit 3| and is disposed adjacent the leading edge of the gate members 29 and 2| with its actuating button 36 located in the path of movement of the cans through the machine so as to be depressed by a defectively labeled can in the manner to be hereinafter more fully explained; Also connected in series in the electrical circuit 3| (Fig. 6) is the switch arm 34 of a relay 35, the switch arm 34 being normally open.

The side frames Ill and II are adapted to be adjusted toward and away from each other so as to vary the width of the track [4 and thus adapt the machine to operate on cans of different lengths. The adjustment meansconsists of a pair of adjusting spindles 31 which are rotat- 6. able at the ends of a bed plate 38. The end portions of each spindle 31 have screw threads of opposite hand, the threads turning in the screw-threaded bores of bosses 39 at the end portions of the side frames Ill and N (Fig. 2). The spindles carry knobs 4|] at one end and have sprockets 4| at their other end which are connected by a chain 42. Thus, when either knob 40 and the corresponding spindle 31 are rotated, the other spindle is likewise rotated to adjust the. side frames I0 and II toward or away from each other, depending upon the direction of rotation of the spindles.

The side frames l0 and II are provided with vertical extensions 45 which are connected by longitudinal struts 45. Rotatable in bearings on the extensions 45 are shafts 4'! and 48, eachshaft carrying a pair of pulleys 50, around which a pair of feeding belts 55 extend. Carried by the shaft 4'! is a grooved pulley 52 which is rotated by a belt 53 surrounding a similar pulley 54 on the drive shaft of an electric motor 55 (Fig. 1). When the motor 55 is operated, the feeding belts 5| are caused to travel in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. The belts 5| are adapted to engage the peripheries of the cans C delivered by the conveyor |5 onto the track l4 and to cause the cans to roll therealong toward the right as viewed in Fig. 1. A roller 51 is rotatable between the struts 46 and its reduced ends are slidable in vertical slots 58 in the struts. Blocks 59 are urged downwardly by springs til and engage the ends of the roller 51 to depress the latter into engagement with the inside of the belts 5|. In this manner, the roller 51 serves as a belt tightener and, due to the spring action, it tends to bow the lower portion of the belts 5| downwardly as shown in Fig. 1.

flhe roller 57 is disposed above the discharge opening I! so that when a defectively labeled can arrives at this position, the roller, acting against the belts, forcibly ejects the can when the gate members 20 and 2| are opened.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the shafts 41 and 48 are rotatable in bearing blocks 62 which are slidable in vertical openings in the extensions 45. The bearing blocks 82 are connected to the lower ends of adjusting screws 63 so that when the screws are rotated, the pulleys 5|} are raised or lowered to adjust the distance of the lower portion of the belts 5| above the track 14 so as to accommodate cans of various diameters. Pivoted on the shaft 4'! is a pair of arms 65 which support a cross shaft 66 which carries a feeding roller 6'1. The shaft 66 and roller 61 are driven from the shaft 4'5 by means of a belt 88 passing around pulleys es and iii carried by the respective shafts 4? and 6e (Figs. 1 and 5) The arms 65 are normally pivoted downwardly by means of a spring 72, this movement being limited by the engagement of an adjustable stop screw 13 on one arm 65 with a pad is on the forward extension 45. The feeding roller 61 functions to feed the individual cans C onto the track M to be thereafter fed by the belts 5|. As each can is fed on to the left-hand end of the track M, the roller 6? engages the same and propels it toward the right, the roller yielding upwardly to permit the can to pass therebeneath. The rotative speed of the roller 6'! is such that the cans are fed toward the right at a predetermined speed, and the roller thus acts to separate the cans and cause them to move along the track in predetermined spaced relationship Rotatable beneath the track l4 adjacent the 7 left-hand end of the machine is a transverse, shaft; l6 whichcarries a resilient, roller H, the shaftbeing driven from the shaft, 4?. by means i a belt 18 passing around pulleys 7,9- and SB on the respective shafts; 41 and 16;. The roller E1 is employed, for driving a pair of detector elements. 8'5 and as, to. be next described.

The detector elements 85. and; 8.6 are in the form of endless coil springs which extend around grooved pulleys 8i and 88.. Thepulleys 81 and 88 are. rotatable on studs, 89 and 90, the latter studs being held in the side frames. m and H. The other studs 89 are carried by blocks 9 l slidable. in verticalslots c2 of downward projections of the 'side frames is and H. Adjusting screws 94 on the projections engage the blocks 5! and, by turning the screws, the blocks and studs 89 can be adjusted vertically. Th left-hand-end of'each detector element 85 and 56 engages the resilient roller Tl (Figs.v 1 and 2) so as. to, be driven thereby in clockwise direction, in other words, in the same direction as the lower portion of the can-feeding belts 5!. Due to the vertical adiustment. of the'left-hand end of the detector elements 85 and 85, the, elements can be inclined with respect to the horizontal track l4, the upper portion of the rightrhand end of the elements being disposed slightly above the track. Thus, any desired length of the elements as and 86 can be made to project above the track 14, this being an important feature of the invention since it permits the projection of a length which is equal to the circumference of the cans being inspected so that the entire periphery of the cans is caused to contact the detector elements. As shown in Fig. 2, the detector elements 85 and 8t are adjusted laterally to positions wherein they engage thecans rolling along the track [4 adjacent the end flanges of the cans. In other words, the detector, elements engage the edge portions of the labels of the cans andthis is im.- portant since, as pointed out before, a great proportion of the tears or imperfections in the labels occur at these edge portions.

The contacts or detector elements employed in prior can-sorting machines often become ineffectual due to the fact that their surfaces, which engage the can labels, become coated with the glue or other adhesive used to bind the labels to the cans. When such a condition prevails, it becomes impossible to establish electrical con-l tact between the detector elements and the metal can, and, as a result, improperly labeled cans are not detected. In the present improved machine, such a condition is avoided by constructing the detector elements 85 and 86 in the form of endless coil springs. As the elements travel around the pulleys 31 and 83, their convolutions are caused to open to a slight extent so that a dim of the adhesive ext ndin between such coils is stretched and thus broken. To further guard against the accumulation of the adhesive agent on the detector elements 85 and 38, we prefer to utilize a pair of scraper elements 95 .(Fig. l) which are located beneath the elements and which are engageable with the elements to strip the adhesive therefrom. The scraper elements 95 maybe of any suitable construction and are, therefore, not described in detail. The detector elements 85 and 85 travel at a slow rate of speed,

when compared to the rate of travel of the feed- 8 rystal detector hav n a hai k fin er r whislger- 93 having one end engaging the crystal and another end disposed slightly below the track 1-4, The detector device 98 is carried by a stationary element such as a longitudinally exe. tending arm {00 of the bed plate 38. The linger s. da ed t be m v d, to a ry slight, t nt by a loose flap of a can label as the can rolls, al ne. he track o a is r t set of h inner or lower end of the finger on the crystal forthe u ose t b at expl ned- Wh n t e machine is used in connection with a can-label: ins ma ne, the a r de ve to h ins ct r so ting mach n n t sa r a i position, that is, with the seams of their labels contacting the same point on the track. Due to this condition, it is possible to detect loose flaps of label seams by the use or the single, small finger; 99. However, it is important that the finger 99 be disposed at the exact point at which the seam first encounters the track l4 order to be positively engaged by the loose flap, Since cans of different diameters can be inspected in the present machine, the point of engagement referred to above may be at various locations along the track. For this reason, it is necessary to adjust the detector device 98 along the track [4 to dispose its finger 99 in the appropriate position. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the detector device 98 is adjustable along the arm I00 and can be held in adjusted positions by a set screw Illl. It is within the concept of the invention to provide a plurality of the detector devices 58, and in this case the devices may be adjustable with respect to one another.

The detector elements and $6, and the detector device 98, are connected in an electronic circuit, indicated generally at I II), this circuit including a rectifier stage ll l, and a voltage regulator stage H2. The electronic circuit H9 also includes a gas filled control tube 3 which is of the type known as a tetrode thyratron tube and which h a fi men H a i 5 and a la 116. Negative current is supplied to the grid 1 L5 through a circuit line Ill in which the detector elements .85and 8.6 and the detector device as are connected. A line H8 is connected between the line H! and the track 14 and a potentiometer H9 is interposed in the line I ll. Included in the line 520 connected to the plate H6 of the tube H3 is the coil l2! of the relay 35 and a normally closed switch I22. The switch I22 is preferably of the microactuated type and is posis tioned to be engaged by the gate 2 I when the latter is retracted by" the solenoid 39.

Figs. '7 to 16 inclusive, illustrate a modified form of detector track and loose flap detector. he m in pa o th p ar tus hown in the latter figures howeven are generally similar to those shown in Figs. 1 .to .6 inclusive, and will, thereiole, be designated by the same numerals em loyed in connection with Figs. .1 to 6 inclusive, with the exception that the sum "01 will be added thereto] In the modified iorm of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to '16 inclusive, the coil spring belt detector elements and 18.6 shown'in Figs. 1 to .6 ins elusive, are replaced by a pair of piyotally mounted spring biased detector blades 20,0 and 20! .(Figs. 7, 8, 11 and 1 2-). These blades are of re t vely thin, ele rica c ndu t e ma fia and each is tapered toward its straight upper ed e, h c is h n, but no har s t it will cut through accumulations :of gummy substance whi h may overl the meta of the can but .will

9 not cut the label or the metal of the can itself. Since both detector blades and their mountings are similar to each other, only the blade 200 will be described in detail. Each detector blade is reinforced by a stiffening strip 202 secured along its lower edge. V

The leading end of each detector blade is pivotally connected to a mounting block 203 by a shouldered screw 2G4, and is insulated from the screw and from the track I la by an insulating bushing 205. The blade mounting block 203 is secured for vertical adjustment to the under side of the track Ma by a mounting pin 29'! which is slidably inserted in a hole in the mounting block. A set screw 208 secures the block in vertically adjusted position on the mounting pin.

The upper end of the mounting pin 20'! is brazed to one end of a link 209 (Figs. 11 and 13), the other end of the link being secured to the under side of the track E la by a screw 2 H). Upon loosening the screw m and the set screw 208, the link 209 may be swung about the shank of the screw 2&8 as a pivot to move the mounting block 203, and thereby the leading end of the detector blade 200, inwardly or outwardly toward or away from its can supporting track upon which it is mounted. The lower end of the pin 20'! is squared to receive a wrench, not shown, whereby the pin and its connected link 209 can be turned without completely loosening the set screw 208 and mounting screw 2l0 which facilitates the making of accurate adjustments.

A second mounting block 2! l is rigidly secured to each detector blade rearwardly from the first pivotal mounting block 293 thereon. Screws 2 l2 secure the second block 2| l to the blade, and insulating bushings H3 and a strip 2M of insulating material insulate the second block 2| i from the blade. An endwise opening notch 215 is provided vertically through each rearward mounting block 2| l, and receives freely a second mounting pin 211 which is generally similar to, but somewhat longer than, the first mounting pin 20?. The upper end of this'second mounting pin is adjustably secured to the under side of the track Ma by a link 2H8 and screw H9, and the lower end of the second pin 2| 1 is squared, all similarly to the first pin 20?. 'A blade-supporting coil spring 220 is held in compression between. a

washer 22 I, which rests against the under side of the second mounting block 21 l, and a collar 222, which is secured in vertically adjusted position on the second mounting mzn by a set screw.

Vertical adiustrnent of the forward. endof each detector blade on its first mounting pin 29! changes the eiiective length of the upper edge of the detector blade which is thereby raised above or. lowered beneath the can'supporting levellof the track, I ia into or out of can-contacting position, as the case may be. The springv biased or normal height of the rearward or discharge end of each detector blade, as well as the spring pres sure exerted thereon by the coil springzzil, may As in the case of the spring belt detectors 85 and be adjusted by changing the position of the'spring supporting collar 222 on its supporting pin:2il.

and 2M in rim-to-rim contact with each other, the first can of the pair being properly labeled, and the second being defectively labeled, the first can Will swing the detector blades downwardly about their forward mounting pivot pins 204, maintaining the blades free from contact with the second can until the first can has passed beyond the detector blades, the ejector actuating'switch lever 36a and onto the gate or bridge flanges'zua and 21a.

The properly labeled leading can then would not be deflected downwardly through the discharge opening even though the improperly labeled following can should thereupon close the detector circuit, since the solenoids 29a. and 30a would not be energized until the second can had depressed the ejector actuating button 36a. By that time the leading or properly labeled can of the pair would be almost across the gap, and would be traveling at such high speed that it would easily pass onto the portion of the track beyond the gap. However, the closing of the detector circuit by the defectively labeled second can will cause it to be rejected in a usual manner by the energizing ofthe solenoids 29a and 30a. p

While such rim-to-rim positioning of cans passing through the detector stage of the device is undesirable, and in factis impossible if the feeding or spacing roller fi'ia of the machine rim contact as it'would be if they were properly spaced, nevertheless the apparatus will still detect and reject a large proportion of defectively labeled cans even under such adverse conditions and will detect and reject all unlabeled or bright cans, I

- The adjustment provided by the links 209 and M8 for moving the detector blades laterally toward or away from the tracks is of great assistance in adjusting the sensitivity of the machine.

For example, canners at times do not wish cans with labels only slightly misplaced or tornonly at the edges to be. rejected, while at other times they may require that only perfectly labeled cans shall be permitted to pass through the machine. In Figure 9 where a can is shown with its label misplaced endwise 'of the can, it will be'noted that the right hand detector blade 290 ,is positioned to engage an .unlabeledor bright. portion of the can, and thereby will cause the can to be:rejected. By adjusting-the detector blade 209 inwardly further away from its supporting track Ma it is obvious that such cans could be permittedto'passthrough the apparatus without detection. v

" In order to insure that successive cans will pass throughthe machine'in exactly aligned posisecured on the upper-edgeof the'side wall or the track I 4aby screws 225; The end contact strip 223 has a plurality-of posts 22'! brazed thereto accuses to 'extend'laterally outwardly through holes-228 transversely through the mounting bar .224. l

The end contacting strip 223 is biased inwardly toward the center of the space between the tracks by light coil springs .229 surroundingthe posts 221 and inserted in enlarged inner portions of the holes 228. The springs 229 are held in compression between the end contacting strip 223 and the bottoms of the enlarged portions of the holes 228 to exert an inward bias on the strip 223; The inward limit of movement of the posts 22-! under the impulse of the springs 229 is Ida termined by washers 2238 held in position on the posts 221 by cotter pins 23! (Fig. 10). The leading or forward end of the strip 223 and its mounting bar 224 are disposed at an angle outwardly away from the can supporting track l4a to have cam-like initial engagement with the ends of the cans as they roll along the track.

A modified form of loose end flap detector 232 is shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 15. The flap detector comprises an upright body member 233 of insulating material such as plastic block, supported 'for vertical adjustment upon threaded rods 234, the upper ends of which are screwed into threaded holes in the body member 233. The lower ends of the support rods 234 are inserted through holes in the laterally extending endportions of 'a supporting bar 235', and are secured therein in vertically adjusted position by nut-s 231 end 238.

The bar 235 is mounted on a transversely extending square rod 239, being secured in-laterally adjusted position thereon by a U-shaped clamp 242 which is drawn into clamping engagement with the rod 238 by screws 24.! (Figfil l). The square rod 239 itself is slidably mounted on rods 242 (Figs. 7 and 8) which are mounted lengthwise of the machine to the bed plate 38a. Thesquare transverse rod 239' has holes through its ends for slidably receiving the longitudinally disposed rods 242, and is secured in adjusted position thereon by set screws 246 (Fig. 8).

A light, thin,'fiap-contacting metal strip 243 is mounted with adequate side clearance-in :1

groove 244 ext'ending lengthwise of'the top of the insulative body block 233. The flap contacting strip 243 has a pair of vertically slotted holes 245 therethrou gh, in which are inserted small retaining bolts 24! mounted in holes through the insulative block 233; The block 233 is mounted beyond the path of the cans rolling along the tracks, and may be adjusted by means of the nuts 23'! and 258 so that the edge of the flap contacting strip 243 is beyond the path of the could be mounted in the same relative position above the track 140; and just beyond the path of the cans through the machine so that the flap contacting strip 243 would be within striking distance of a loose label end flap. When mounted in inverted position above the path 'ofthe cans the weight of the strip 243 will hold it at its outward limit of movement in the groove 244.

When mounted upright as shown in the drawings however, a pair of extremely light coil springs 248 are inserted in holes 249 extending vertically through the block 233, the upper ends of the springs projecting into the strip receiving groove 244 in the block. These springs are held incompression between the bottom of the flap contacting strip 243 and set screws25uscrewed into the threaded lower portion of each of the spring receivingholes. Each of the set screws 25.0 is engaged by oneend of a conductor 25! the :other end of which is connected to one of the vertical threaded block supporting rods 23s by a nut 252, thereby to ground the flap contacting strip 243 to the frame of the machine through the light coilTspringsi248, the set screws 258, the conductor 25!, the square transverse rod 239 and the longitudinally disposed rods 242. The strip supporting coil springs 248 are of just sufiicient strength normally'to bias the light flap contacting strip upwardly so that the lower marginal edges of the slotted holes 245 are held in contact with the small retaining bolts I471. The springs 248are so light that they permit the flap contacting strip 243'to be depressed by the lightest possible touch; namely by being brushed by the loose end :flap of a label which may projegt outwardly from a can rolling through the apparatus on the tracks [4a.

Contact posts .253 are provided one at each end of the insulative block 233, being inserted upwardly through vertical holes provided in the body of the block. The contact posts are screwed through threaded holes in a pair of metal inserts 254 which are molded integrally in the body of the block 233. The metal inserts 256 are electrically connected to each other by a strip 255 of electrically conductive metal secured to the inserts 254 by screws 251. A conductor wire 25B is connected by a screw 259 to the connecting strip 255, and thence into the ejector actuating circuit in the same manner as is shown for the loose flap detector 98 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6. The sensitivity of the loose flap detector 232 may be varied in an obvious manner by changing the pressure on the springs 248 by means of the set screws 25!], and by varying the distances between the upper ends of the contact posts 253 and the flap contacting strip 243.

The location of the loose flap detector 232 lengthwise of the machine should be such that as the cans from the labeling machine roll along the tracks Ha through the machine the overlapping ends of each label will'tend to be on the under side of the can, substantially midway of the effective length of the loose flap contacting strip 243. It is obvious that due to the much greater efiective length of this latter type of loose flap detector, than that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, considerable leeway is provided as to where the loose flap can be positioned in order to actuate the detector element. This is an important factor, since when the cans are fed at high speed through a labeler and thence through the present detecting and rejecting mechanism, there frequently is some slippage of the cans which varies the position of the label overlap on successive cans. The improved can-sorting apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, operates in the following manner.

The apparatus is prepared for operation by first adjusting the side frames ii! and ii toward or away from each other in accordance with the length of the cans to be inspected, it being noted that the end flanges of the cans are intended to roll upon the track ledges i2 and i3 as shown in Fig. 2. The feeding belts 5! are then adjusted vertically with respect to the track i in accordance with the diameter of the cans to be inspected, after which the height of the feeding roller. .61 is also adjusted. The inclination of the detector elements 85 and 35 and the longitudinal location of the finger 99 of the detector dew'ce Mare finally adjusted in'accordance with the characteristics of the cans to'be inspected.

With the various adjustments thus made, the machine is ready for operation and the motor 55 is started in a usual manner to cause the feeding roller 67, the feeding belts and the detector elements 85 and B6 to rotate in directions which will cause cans C fed onto the lefthand end of the track It to be rolled through the machine along the track. During theoperation of the machine, the roller 5'! acts to maintain the cans spaced apart at a predetermined distance, this relationship not being shown in Fig. 1 since the cans are shown in different selected positions for the purpose of illustration,

The cans C enter the apparatus from a canlabeling machine and, assuming that the labels have been properly applied thereto and the labels are not defective upon entering the apparatus,

they will be fed therethrough by the belts 5i along the track it and delivered to the conveying means it which may convey the cans to a packaging machine or other equipment.

Occasionally a label is defective or is improperly applied and, when such is the case, the can having such a label is separated from the line of cans passing through the apparatus in the manner next explained. When a can'having a torn label rolls along the detector elements 35 and 86, the exposed portion of the periphery of the can contacts one or-both of the detectorele- .ments, depending upon the extent of the tear,

and since the negative wire H1 is connected to the elements 85 and 86 and the positive wire H8 is connected to the track it, a short circuit is created which causes positive voltage to flow to the grid N5 of the control tube H3 to cause sufiicient voltage in the line I20 to energize the relay 35. Closing of the relay switch 3% partially closes the electrical circuit 3! in which the solenoids 29 and iii! are connected. It is a characteristic of the tetrode thyratron tube I it that once the flow of sufiicient current to the plate H6 is established, such flow will be maintained until disrupted by opening the electronic circuit, for example, by opening the switch I22.

As the defectively labeled can rolls from the right-hand end of the detector elements 85 and 88, it depresses the button 3% of the switch 33 so as to close the same. The circuit 3! is thus entirely closed so that the solenoids 2t and 30 .are energized to retract the gate members 20 and 2! from the opening i1. Consequently, the defectively labeled can falls through the opening I! into the chute 26 and thus is separated from the line of-cans passing through the apparatus. The spring-pressed roller 5? acts with a downward motion to forcibly eject the can from the track. l4.

As the gate member 2! approaches its fully retracted position, it engages the actuatingfinger of the switch 122 so as to open the latter'and thus open the line I20 to deenergize the relay 35,

this action also inactivating the control tube I I3 of the track i4. 7

It also occurs that the ends of labels applied to a can are not properly. glued together, and this results in a loose flapwhich projects fromthe periphery of the can. When such a can enters the apparatus, the loose flap encounters the finger 9B of the crystal detector device 95 and even-though the engagement is extremely light,

the setting of the inner end of the finger on the crystal is disturbed, thus momentarily, at least, changing the polarity of the electrical current in the grid line H1. Such a condition results in activation of the control tube H3 to energize the relay so as to close the switch 34. When the switch. 34 is later closed by the improperly labeled can as the latter rolls thereacross, the solenoids 29 and 30 are energized to retract the gate members 20 and 2! to discharge the can from the track 14. It is thus seen that the present apparatus functions to detect the presence of cans having torn or otherwise imperfect labels and cans in which the ends of the labels have been improperly joined, and to discharge such cans from the line of cans rolling along the track. It will also be observed that the detector means are extremelysensitive and positive in action so that the defectively labeled cans are inspected with great accuracy. Moreover, the apparatus is entirely adjustable so that it can operate on cans of various lengths and diameters.

The operation of the modified form of the-invention shown in Figs. '2' to 16, inclusive, will be obvious from the foregoing description of the operation of the form thereof shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, with the possible exception of the lateral adjustment of the detector blades 2% and 2 3: by means of the links 2&9 and 2). To accomplish such adjustment, the distance from the ends of the cans beyond which it is desired label defects shall cause rejection must first beset by the canner or customer for whom the cans are to be labeled. lhis being established, the

detector blades are and 20! are adjusted at that distance inwardly from the sides of the tracks lea by slightly loosening the set screws 208 and mounting screws 2m and 219 (Figs. 11 and 12) and, by means of a wrench if desired, turning the first and'second mounting pins 25)! and 2H to swing the links to position the detector blades at the required distance from, and parallel to the tracks'Ma. With the blades thus adjusted, the

loosened set screws and mounting screws again are tightened to secure the blades in theirnewly adjusted positions.

While we have hereinshown and described the improved can-sorting apparatus as embodied in a preferred form of construction, by way of example, and modified forms of defective label de tectors therefor, it will be apparent that various modifications might be made in the structure without departing from the spirit, of the invention Consequently, we do not wish to belimited I r in this-respect but desire to be afforded the full scopeof the appended claims.

We'claim; 1. Apparatus for detecting unlabeled and improperly labeled cans from a line of cans moving through the apparatus; comprising a pair of laterally separated tracks along which the cans roll through the apparatus, said tracks having a removable section normally springbiased into can supporting position, electrically operated means mounted upon energization thereof to remove saidremovable track section from can supporting position, a rigid detector blade having a' straight upper edge mounted lengthwise of and interinediately of said tracks, means normally insulating the blade from said tracks, m eans pivotally supporting the forward end of the blade with its upper edge below the, path of a can roll- .ing along saidtracks; means resiliently biasing '15 in}; the blade laterally of said tracks to vary the sensitivity of detection by said blade, and normally open circuit means interconnecting said blade, said electrically operated track removing means and said track, said circuit being adapted to be closed to energize said track removing means by conductive portions of a can simultaneously contacting said blade and said track.

2. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting unlabeled and improperly labeled cans from a line of cans passing through the apparatus; comprising a can supporting track-having a can discharging gap therein, a retractable bridge normally spanning said gap, electrical actuating means mounted upon energization thereof to withdraw said bridge from can supporting posi- -tion in said gap, an electrically conductive de 'tector pivotally mounted normally to lie beneath the level of a can supported on its rims on said track, means mounted to raise a free end of said pivotally mounted detector into position to en gage a can rolling along said track, said detector means being insulated from said can by a properly positioned label on such can, a resiliently biased contact strip mounted to have endwise wiping engagement with a can rolling across said detector, and normally open circuit means operatively interconnecting said detector, said track, said 'end wiping strip, and said bridge actuating means, and adapted to be closed by contact of an unlabeled portion of a can with said detector to energize said bridge actuating means.

-3. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting unlabeled and improperly labeled cans from a line of cans passing through the apparatus; comprising a pair of laterally spaced can supporting tracks having a can discharging gap therein, 'a retractable bridge normally spanning said gap, electrical actuating means mounted upon energization thereof to withdraw said bridge from said gap, an electrically conductive detector mounted to lie within the path of a normally label covered area of a can supported on its rims'on said track, means for adjusting the detector transversely between said tracks to vary its sensitivity of detection, an insulative support mounted between said tracks and beyond the path of a'can along said tracks, means for adjusting the position of said support relatively to said tracks, a thin, light strip of material loosely mounted on said block to lie lengthwise of said tracks and eX- 1 teriorly of the path of a can moving along said tracks but within striking distance of a loose label flap on such can, contact means mounted to be actuated by a predetermined movement, of the loosely mounted strip under impact of such a loose label flap, and a normally "open electrical circuit connected to said track, said detector, said strip actuated contact means, and said bridge actuating means, and adapted to energize said bridge actuating means upon the closing of said circuit. I

4. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting improperly labeled cans from a line of cans moving through the apparatus; comprising a pair of tracks spaced apart along which the cans roll in endsupported condition, electrically operated means for ejecting cans from supported condition on said tracks upon energization of said ejecting means, an insulative support mounted between said tracks and below the path of a can rolling along said'tracks, a thin, light, strip of stiff material mounted loosely on said support to lie lengthwise between said tracks, means lightly biasing said strip away from said support,

16 said strip being below the path of a can rolling along said track but within striking distance of a loose label flap on such can, contact means mounted to be closed by a predetermined movement of said strip under impact of such a loose label flap, and electrical circuit means connected to said contact means and said can ejecting means, to energize said can ejecting means upon closing of said contact means.

5. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting improperly labeled cans from a line of cans moving through the apparatus; comprising a track along which the cans roll through the apparatus, electrically operated means for ejecting cans from supported condition on said track upon energization of said ejecting means, insulative support means mounted exteriorly of the path of a can rolling along said track, a light weight strip of electrically conductive material mounted on said support lengthwise of said track, exteriorly of the path of a can rolling on said track, but within striking distance of a loose label flap on such can, electrical contact means mounted adjacent said conductive strip and normally spaced therefrom, and electrical circuit means connected to said strip, said contact means and said ejecting means, to energize said can ejecting means upon contact of said conductive strip with said contact means.

'6. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting unlabeled and improperly labeled cans from a line of cans moving therethrough, comprising a track on which the cans roll on their rims through the apparatus, said track having a can discharge gap therein, a movable gate normally spanning said gap and across which properly labeled cans roll, a normally open electrical circuit means having means therein for withdrawing said gate from said gap to discharge unlabeled and improperly labeled cans therethrough when said circuit is closed, a detector member of electrically conductive material in said circuit and extending into the path of movement of cans on said track, electrical means connected to said circuit and energized by a defective can contacting said detector member for partially closing said circuit, and

means actuated by said defective can clearing said detector member for completely closing said circuit to energize said gate withdrawing means to discharge said defective can from the line.

7. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting unlabeled and improperly labeled cans from a line of cans moving therethrough, comprising a track on which the cans roll on their rims through the apparatus, said track having a can discharge gap therein, a movable gam normally spring urged .into'a position spanning said gap to constitute apart of said track across which properly labeled cans roll, a normally open electrical circuit means having electrically responsive means therein for withdrawing said gate from said gap to discharge unlabeled and improperly labeled cans therethrough when said electrical circuit isclosed, a detector element of electrically conductive material included in said circuit adjacent said disc ar e al d xte di g in the path of movement of cans moving along said track, said detector element having a length at least equal to the circumferential dimension of the can, normally inactive electrical means connected in said circuit and activated by a defective can contacting said detector element for partially closing said circuit prior to the actuation of said gate withdrawing means, means actuated by said defective can clearing said detector element for completely closing said circuit to energize said gate withdrawing means to discharge the defective can from the line, and normally closed electric switch means engageable by the withdrawn gate for opening said electrical circuit to restore said electrical means to inactive position as said spring urged gate is returned to its normal position spanning said can discharge gap in said track.

8. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting unlabeled and improperly labeled cans from a line of cans moving therethrough, comprising a track on which the cans roll on their rims through the apparatus, said track having a can discharge gap therein, movable gate means normally spanning said gap and across which properly labeled cans roll, a normally open electrical circuit having solenoid means therein for withdrawing said gate means from said gap to discharge unlabeled and improperly labeled cans therethrough when said circuit is closed to energize said solenoid means, a rigid detector blade of electrically conductive material in said electrical circuit and having means for resiliently mounting the same in the path of movement of cans rolling along said track, said detector blade having a length at least equal to the circumferential dimension of the can, a pair of normally open switches in said electrical circuit, and an electronic circuit connected to said electrical circuit and including a thyratron control tube energized by a defective can contacting said detector blade for closing one of said electric switches to partially close said electrical circuit, the other of said switches being engageable by said defective can clearing said detector blade for completely closing said'electrical circuit to energize said solenoid means to withdraw said gate means from said gap to discharge said defective can from the line.

9. Apparatus for detecting and ejecting unlabeled and improperly labeled cans from a line of cans moving therethrough, comprising a pair of spaced track members on which the cans roll on their rims through the apparatus, said track members having a can discharge gap therein, a pair of movable spring urged gate members normally spanning said gap to constitute portions of said track members across which properly labeled cans roll, a normally open electrical circuit including a pair of solenoids for withdrawing said gate members from said gap to discharge unlabeled and improperly labeled cans therethrough when said electrical circuit is completely closed, means for engaging and forcibly discharging such defectively labeled cans through said gap, a pair of laterally spaced rigid detector blades of electrically conductive material disposed adjacent said discharge gap and extending into the path of movement of cans rolling along said track members, said detector blades each having a length equal to the circumferential dimension of the can, means for laterally adjusting the position of said detector blades relative to said track members to vary the sensitivity of detection by said blades in respect to cans of different sizes, a pair of normally open electric switches in said electrical circuit, an electronic circuit connected in said electrical circuit and including said detector blades, one of said switches being actuated by a defectively labeled can contacting one of said detector blades to energize said electronic circuit to close said one switch and thus partially close said electrical circuit, the other of said switches being engageable by said defectively labeled can clearing said detector blades for completely closing said electrical circuit to energize said solenoids to withdraw said gate members from said gap to discharge said defective can from the line.

MERREL L. BOX. ROBERT W. CASON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,306,811 Gray June 17, 1919 1,407,887 Pigeon Feb. 28, 1922 1,510,616 Wild Oct. 7, 1924 1,690,345 Poole Nov. 6, 1928 2,270,428 Flint Jan. 20, 1942 2,560,737 Palmer July 17. 1951 

